Drea Wood

We love dressing up

Written on 11/01/2011 by Dreawood in caleb, friends, holidays, Owen, Taite

Yesterday our boys experienced their 1st time really trick or treating. Where we use to live it wasnt exactly ideal to do this. We lived off a side street. The nearby neighborhood we did have access to was fine, but the kids were so young I never pushed it. Also our former church offered a fall festival, so there was no need for anything more.

We decided this year since we now lived in a large and nice neighborhood, that we’d let the boys have at it :) – packing their bags full of sugar. :)

As long as the costumes are kept friendly, creative and fun, I am a-ok with trick or treating. It really was fun. We had a great time walking the neighborhood with our neighbors and another COR family.

The boys had a blast too, even little Owen ;-) who btw went door to door like the rest of them. He was adorable!

Here are a few photos from our adventure out.

Before heading out we had supper..
and for dessert, Zucchini Cupcakes!!
They really were amazing.

I don’t think Owen knew what to think of his costume :)

Owen’s costume btw has been used A LOT – our boys have dressed up in them countless times.

Hard to believe Taite use to be that little.

& a fun memory with a dear friend I miss terribly.

My three were ready to go!

We of course had to wait for all the neighbors, aren’t they cute together?

Owen did have some help with all the walking ;-)

Got creepy out at one point :)

The boys however were fearless… and even went to the scary houses.

Hope your Halloween went well :)

The cost btw of our costumes – $0.00 : )
Iron Man (Caleb) was a hand-me-down from Shannon’s boys.
Buzz Lightyear (Taite) was on loan from our neighbor Jessie.
The Dragon (Owen) we did buy but 3 years ago, on sale for like $7 @ Old Navy.
- Since we didn’t buy Owens, I am saying it was free, hehe.

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I yell

Written on 10/31/2011 by Dreawood in COR, scripture, struggles

I had some alone time today… rare it seems some weeks.
I write this with 2 little ones in the room watching an quick TV show… which btw, is very distracting :) – try writing with any sort of kid cartoon on. You never realize how many strange noises come from one cartoon, until you try to sit down and write :)

Owen is resting, so Im just using this time to sit… reflect… and relax. Kid cartoon and all :)

I read this today during some of my alone time and it stood out…

“I yell at my children, fester with bitterness, forget doctor appointments, lose library books, live selfishly, skip prayer, complain, go to bed too late, neglect cleaning the toilets. I live tired. Afraid. Anxious. Weary…. Would I ever be enough, find enough, do enough?…. It’s the inbetweens that drive us mad.”

“How does one live ready, always ready? Yes, ultimately, only Jesus. Yes, this premature dying to self, birthing into the cross-life, the grace cocoon before emerging into the life unending. Without this Jesus, no, no one can be ready.”

This was taken from a book called “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. It is a book I’ve had for some time now… but sadly have not completed. I will be the 1st to admit, I struggle with finding time to read books.. It in all honesty makes me sleepy! I think because as a mom of 3 little ones, I am often times doing 3-4 things at once… so when I just sit… my body must think “oooo its time to sleep!” – since when time does come to rest, it is usually at night, when I lay down to sleep. Oddly enough at night, I find myself wide awake with a million things running through my head… funny how that works.

I really have to discipline myself to read more than a few lines…

Sunday our Pastor spoke on Strong Holds… and wow, just an incredible sermon.
I cant even begin to touch on what he said… and for some time now I have debated sharing what church we are at right now… but I am to the point now that I am tired of secrets… and really just want to share the awesome things the Lord is teaching us during this time here. So if you’d like to watch our Pastor’s sermon, you can on the church website. Look under “Oct 30th” – 9:30am service. Skip to Minute 32:00 if you would like to skip all the music, and get right into the sermon.

One of the things that kept coming to me during this sermon was something I struggle with…

and that is time… and priorities. Figuring out how to manage life as a mother, home schooling, cooking, cleaning, managing a professional photography business (that oddly enough has picked up a lot this month!, thankfully), being a wife… and really just having time inbetween to take care of myself physically… and spiritually. It all is something I find overwhelming at times and wonder “Do I really have time to just sit and pray?”

I have often felt I could justify my lack of prayer time, because of where I am in life right now. I could use my children as an excuse to not having enough time to sit and pray…. or read a chapter(s) in my bible. TO really meditate on Gods word. I have been one to say it is ok to replace that time with prayers at the kitchen sink… or prayers while folding laundry… and while I think those times are great fellowship… and the Lord loves to hear his children talk to him throughout the day… it isn’t the same as sitting down with His Word… alone…

I struggle with that!

Our Pastor mentioned this scripture in his sermon…

“Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

and… the 1st thing I thought was “I should just blog this… ” – that way everyone knows my struggle. So that those in my life who are close to me, can call me and ask “soooo did you have time alone today?” – its so easy to call up a friend and talk about everything but the Lord.. Im guilty of that…

Where is my focus?

I have realized I spend way to much time messing with my blog.
Browsing Pinterest, eeeee so guilty!
On occasion checking out the latest on facebook, why? I mean really? Does it have to be checked 3 times a day? do I check my heart that often?

Don’t worry.. this time was set apart, after my time with the Lord.

While blogging is an income for our family…
and something I truly do enjoy…
It should not replace my time with the Lord, by blogging and what not.

Balance…

Priorities…

I really am starting to see where this is a stronghold of mine.

Here are some steps our Pastor gave to help with working through strongholds:

1. Convicted that the stronghold is sin and you cannot defeat it in your strength (flesh).

1 Thess 1:9, “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

(not from idols to God)

2. Confess to God and others.
Note: 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16

Isolation promotes bondage, but true spiritual community promotes freedom.

Proverbs 18:1-2
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.”

3. Receive the gift of Godly sorrow (repentance).
Humbly invite the Lord to allow us to see our stronghold through His eyes, promoting the gift of
Godly sorrow that leads to a true repentance;
NOTE: II Cor 7:10.

4. Move from the fruit to the root.

Share with a trusted friend, allowing the roots of the pain to be exposed.

5. Receive God’s comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able
to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God.”

6. Take your thoughts captive.

Examine your thoughts by holding them up to the truth of God’s Word. (II Cor 10:5).

7. Replace the lies with God’s truth.

Reject lies, receive truth, replace lies.

8. Cultivate a lifestyle of intimacy with God and with others in His family.

I realize that there are some seriously hard strongholds out there…. Mine seems so small when I compare it to what others may be struggling with… There are families whos husbands are addicted to pornography, hiding it from their wives… There are wives having affairs with men at the work place, online, or who knows where… justifying it as long as it doesnt go to far. These types of strongholds I cannot even imagine having to share with anyone… but scripture is so clear about making it known.. and while I DO NOT think you should blog that type of stuff… I think that is a type of situation that should only be shared with a trusted friend… of Pastor/counselor….

I guess the purpose of this blog post, that is becoming hard to write. With the crazy cartoon noises in the background.. my mind wandering… and my fear of writing something inappropriate or fears of people reading it wrong…

I think I just want to share my struggle.
It may not seem like much… but it is very real.
Add to those things self doubt, insecurities, and a bucket load of crap that weighs heavy on me, due to the lies of this world… and my flesh…

I know whatever the stronghold, we are all sinners… who need a Savior.
I in myself am not enough.

I will never defeat any of this without Christ.

I will end… with what I started…

- Ann Voskamp

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Trick or Treat

Written on 10/31/2011 by Dreawood in friends

I hope everyone has a safe Halloween!
We aren’t huge on celebrating Halloween. For obvious reasons.
However I think its just fun and cute to see kids dress up and get excited about sugar.

We will be enjoying our day with new friends, neighbors and lots of cute kids! Stay safe! and don’t forget to brush those pearly whites :) This year btw is our 1st year experiencing handing out candy!

That cupcake was made by our sweet neighbor. She had my boys around her table one afternoon making those with her kids and another neighbors kids. Was very sweet and our boys enjoyed these a lot. Was a fun treat for them.

& very creative! :-)

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rest

Written on 10/30/2011 by Dreawood in Owen

I love that on Sundays, we can rest.

While we do get up early to be at church by 8am (eek!)… Sunday mornings tend to stress me out, despite my preparations :) Its no ones fault but my own, I tend to be a perfectionist, so having a rushed mornings some sundays leaves me on edge. By the time I get to church though I am fine, thankfully :)

After an awesome sermon, great singing & fellowship with brothers and sisters… it is just so nice to come home… eat a hardy lunch… then lay down and sleep! – ALL OF US ;-)

Hope everyone else is having a restful Sunday.

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Homemade Granola

Written on 10/29/2011 by Dreawood in recipes

This past week I wanted to make some home made granola, in order to make some home made granola bars :) I was very pleased with how the granola came out! So I thought Id share how I did it :)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/3 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300.

In a large bowl, mix together oats, sunflower seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Then set that aside…

In a small saucepan, warm up the applesauce with honey and oil over low heat.

Mix the applesauce/honey/oil mixture into the oat mixture, stir well. Spread the mixture onto a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Bake for 45 – 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola is a deep brown. Remove and stir in raisins. Cool completely before enjoying.

- Recipe adapted from Fake Ginger
(She added some nuts and sesame seeds in hers. Next time I make ours, I will put a few nuts.)

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